NEW DELHI: Australia retained the Ashes with an 82-run victory over England in the third Test in Adelaide, securing an unassailable 3-0 lead with two matches still to play.
However, despite holding the Ashes urn for the past decade, questions had been raised about Australia's quality as a team, with veteran Stuart Broad had set the stage for a fiery contest, labeling the Australian side the weakest to contest the Ashes on home soil since England's triumph in the 2010-11 series, in which he himself played two Tests.
Since that victory, England has endured a long drought in Australia, recording 16 losses, two draws, and no wins.
The players appeared to take those criticisms personally, and wrapping up the Ashes in just 11 days of cricket proved to be the perfect response, emphatically silencing their doubters.
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Following the victory, Australian batter Marnus Labuschagne said it was satisfying to seal the series but stressed that the job was far from done, as Australia are keen to complete a whitewash against England.
Labuschagne, speaking to ABC Radio, said, "All the media hype, we have to say it, being called the worst Australian team in 15 years, it's nice to be sitting where we are 3 nil up."
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"And like I said, the job's not done yet. We will certainly be enjoying tonight. I think Head will make sure we enjoy it. And you know, the job is, you know we want to make sure it's five nil and we really take that urn, Labuschagne added.
A bizarre 40-minute delay at the start of the final day - despite there being no rain - set the tone for an eventful morning, as England briefly dared to believe in the impossible.
Wicketkeeper Jamie Smith led the charge against a depleted Australian bowling attack, injecting urgency into the chase. The 25-year-old took the attack to Nathan Lyon and Cameron Green early, striking boundaries within the opening half hour to keep England's hopes flickering despite the daunting 435-run target.
Smith, along with Will Jacks and Brydon Carse, mounted a spirited resistance that lasted close to three hours on Day 5. However, the defiant stand ultimately fell short, as England were bowled out for 352, bringing an end to their brave but futile attempt at a world-record fourth-innings chase.
